Safety of healthcare workers

A rather alarming incident occurred this week in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. A patient admitted to one of the local hospitals seized an opportunity to be alone with his assigned nurse, resulting in him stabbing the healthcare worker with scissors. An initial examination revealed 26 stab wounds on the victim's body. She was unable to defend herself from an attack that was unimaginable in her workplace. A hospital, of all institutions, is supposed to be a haven for healing and recuperation. Tragically, this was where her life came to a devastating end.

This incident has sent shockwaves throughout the health sector, not just in Bohol but across the country. There is a collective outcry for justice for such a senseless act. According to police reports, the patient committed the crime out of spite after allegedly hearing rude remarks from the nurse. These remarks remain unproven, leaving us with nothing but hearsay. Regardless of any perceived provocation, there can be no justification for the heinous act of taking someone's life. Hospitals are now increasingly concerned about the safety of their workers and the well-being of other patients.

This scenario evokes a scene from the American television series "Grey's Anatomy", where individuals with malicious intent manage to infiltrate healthcare institutions, putting numerous lives at risk. If a fictional show struggles to provide effective solutions for protecting its characters, what hope is there for real-life situations? Is it time for hospitals to enhance their security measures, including rigorous checks of items entering patient wards? Will patients have to bear the cost of additional security measures to ensure their safety? Furthermore, will we ever reach a point where access to genuine healthcare is considered a right rather than a privilege?

We should also consider how to provide care to patients who may exhibit tendencies toward violence. This raises complex questions about how to identify such individuals without veering into discrimination. We must also examine the underlying causes of these actions. Scholars argue that behaviors are often reflections of our shared experiences. In the Philippines, a common shared experience is the frustration stemming from a lack of opportunities, the rising cost of basic goods, low wages, and various other socio-economic challenges.

Legislators must take a closer look at the incident in Bohol and enact new policies to safeguard our healthcare workers. They are the individuals we turn to in times of physical crisis. In the context of a global pandemic, healthcare workers have been our frontline defenders. They do not deserve to be treated poorly; instead, we should be expressing our gratitude for their service.

Simultaneously, hospitals should emphasize the importance of ethics and communication for their staff when interacting with patients. Building the skills necessary to relate effectively to others requires extensive training and practice. Only by addressing these critical issues can we hope to create an environment where healthcare workers feel secure and valued, ultimately enhancing the quality of care provided to all patients.